Collapsible container



Feb. 13, 1934.

R. J. CODY COLLAPSIBLE CONTAINER Original Filed Dec. 31, 1930 2Sheets-Sheet l frwenr 1 fizc/zam JCaaj/ Feb. 13, 1934. R. J. CODY1,947,190

COLLAPSIBLE CONTAINER I v Original Filed Dec. 31. 1930 2 Sheets-Sheet 2Z5 [6 2p g Z5 u L 2 I 23 12 1.42 12 qt 1 ffl L [nyezzfor Kath 1rd CbqyPatented Feb. 13, 1934 COLLAPSIBLE CONTAINER Richard J. Cody, Evanston,Ill., assignor to Container Corporation of America, Chicago, 111., acorporation of Delaware Application December 31, 1930, Serial No.505,781

. Renewed September 5, 19 33 Claims.

, The invention relates to containers, and more particularly tocontainers formed preferably of paper or. other flexible material, andcapable of being folded flat to reduce the cost of transportation of theempty container, and adapted to be opened up into cylindrical or barrelform to receive suitable filling material.

.According to the preferred embodiment of the invention, the assembledcontainer includes an outer wall and an inner or liner member which fitswithin the outer wall or drum. When both the outer and inner members areformed of heavy paper or paper board, the combined container possessesproperties giving substantially all of the advantages of metal cans andis especially adapted for the packing of ice cream or the like.

I am aware that cylindrical paper containers designed to be shipped flatare not broadly new,

but previous devices of this character wereeither go to complicated andexpensive to manufacture on a commercial scale, or were not sufiicientlystrong to withstand the hard usage required under actual practicalconditions.

The object of the present invention is accordingly to produce at aminimum cost strong and durable cylindrical paper containers, which maybe collapsed and shipped flat when empty, and which may. be expandedinto cylindrical form to receive the desired filling material.

A further object is to produce a container which may be readily andquickly assembled into cylindrical form, and which issufficiently strongand rigid to be handled by, and cooperate with, the handling and fillingequipment, now in common use, which has been designed primarily forheavy metal cans.

More specific objects of the invention are: To provide the outer wallwith integral inturned flanges at the lower portion thereof forsupporting a disc which serves as a, bottom for the container; toprovide outturned flanges at the top of the outer wall constituting arim which serves as a reinforcement for the container, and at the sametime serves as a finger hold for carrying the container; and to providean inner liner loosely inserted within the outer container without anyfastening means, which liner fits snugly cut away for sake of clearnessshowing the outer wall or container expanded to cylindrical form withthe .liner and bottom disc in place;

Fig. 2 is.a fragmentary view showing certain details of theconstruction;

Fig. 3 is a view somewhat similar to Fig. 2 showing certain otherdetails of the construction;

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary detail view showing the edge -portionsillustrated in Fig. 2 as they appear before being joined together;

Fig. 5 is a reduced view of the blank from 'which the outer wall isformed;

Fig. 6 is a perspective view showing the cap or top, which is adapted tobe applied to the container after the latter has been filled withsuitable material; I

Fig. 7 is a view taken on line 7-7 of Fig. 8; and

Fig. 8 is a reduced view of-the blank from which the main portion of thecap or top is formed.

The device comprises generally an outer cylindrical wall or container A,which may be held in cylindrical form by means of a bottom disc or headB, spaced from the lower edge of the container and resting loosely uponand supported by a flange formed by folding inwardly the lower end ofthe outer wall. Within the outer container a lining C is loosely fitted,said lining resting upon the bottom disc B and serving as areinforcement for the outer wall. When the container has been filled itmay be covered by a suitable flanged top D, which is placed over theupper end of the container and assists in maintaining the cylindricalform. All parts are preferably made of box board which may be treated'with an emulsion of parafiin and car- -nauba wax in a manner similar tothat disclosed in the patent to Thomas Hans, No. 1,685,917, datedOctober 2, 1928. While this material is preferably for use in themanufacture of an ice cream container, obviously otherfiexible materialmay be employed Without depart ing from the spirit of the presentinvention.

The outer wall of the container is preferably formed from a blank suchas is shown in Fig. 5. Thisblank includes a 'bodyportion 10, 10centrally divided by means of a score line 11, which permits folding orcollapsing of the container. The line 11 should preferably be of suchcharacter as not to weaken the box, but merely to render the'sameflexible at this location. For the purpose of forming a flange uponwhich the disc B is adapted to rest, the lower portion of the blank isprovided with a pair of parallel score lines 12 and 13 which includebetween them portions 14 and- 15. By folding inwardly along the lines 12and 13, a suitable shoulder is provided for supporting the disc B, asindicated in Fig. 1. Preferably a slot 16 is provided as an extension ofthe score line 11, the purpose being to facilitate the folding of thecontainer.

While the inturned flange at the bottom of the blank may be made anyconvenient width this flange is preferably made as narrow as possible,consistent with strength requirements, so the container will besubstantially of the same height, and can be readily substituted formetal containers now in common use without necessitating any alterationin existing equipment, such as filling machinery, cabinets, etc.

The upper portion of the blank is scored similarly to the lower portion.The score lines are indicated at 17 and 18, thus providing portions 19and 20, which are folded outwardly, as indicated in Figs. 1 to 4inclusive. When so folded, a shoulder is formed along the score line 18,which serves as a convenient hand hold. The, outwardly turned flangesalso serve to reinforce the ends of the container. A slot 21, similar tothe slot 16, is provided at the upper portion of the blank to facilitatefolding of the flanges.

The body portion of the blank is preferably provided with a flange 22 tofacilitate stapling or fastening the container in assembled form. Theflange is preferably connected to the body portion by means of aflexible score line 23. Atab 24 is provided at the upper portion of theblank, preferably as an extension of the fold 20, and has a score line25 impressed at its juncture with the fold 20. This tab is of particularimportance, as it serves to reinforce the top of the container. Asimilar tab may be provided at the bottom, if desired, butis notgenerally found necessary, as the strain at the lower portion is not sogreatas at the top.

To form the blank into the outer wall of th container, the lower andupper sets of flanges are folded and then lines of staples 26 and 27 arestitched through the flanges in order to hold them in position. In theupper row 27 the staples are preferably omitted adjacent the edge of theflange opposite the tongue 24, the purpose being'to permit the tongue tobe inserted between the folds 19 and 20 of the top flange, as will behereinafter described.

After the upper and lower flanges have been stapled, the blank is foldedalong line 11 in such a manner that the flange 22 overlaps the oppositeedge 28 of the body of the blank. At the same time the tab 24 isinserted between folds 19 and 20 of the top flange. A vertical row ofstaples 29 is now passed through the edge 23 of the body of the box, andthrough the flange 22. At the base the staples pass along through theinfolded flanges 14 and 15, and at the top at least one of the staplespasses through five thicknesses, namely the folds 19, 20, the tongue 24,the edge 28 of the container and the flange 22. The particular manner ofinserting and spacing the staples is, in general, immaterial.

The tongue 24 serves as a reinforcement to the.

flange 22 and the edge 28 at the upper portion of the container, wherethe strain is greatest. The container when full is normally subjected toconsiderable strain at the top, andwithout the use of the tongue 24, itis found that the top staple 29 is likely to be pulled loose, but wherethe reinforcing tongue is employed, this defect may be avoided,- as thetongue apparently distributes the strain over a greater area.

After stapling, the container may be collapsed and shipped flat aspartially indicated in Figs. 2 and 3. When the container reaches itsdestination it is expanded and the disc B inserted, the disc restingupon the lower inturned flange.

If food products, such as ice cream or the like, are to be packed in thecontainer, a liner C is preferably inserted within the container asshown in Fig. 1 of the drawings. In the present instance the liner C isformed from a rectangular sheet having a length somewhat greater thanthe inner circumference of the container. While the edges 30 and 31 ofthe liner may be secured together if desired, the liner is preferablyinserted loosely within the container so that when'the container isfilled with soft material such as ice cream .or the like, the liner willbe forced into snug engagement with the inner wall surface of thecontainer and thus, in addition to serving as a liner, it alsoreinforces the entire construction.

The cap D may be made in any convenient form so as to snugly flt aroundthe top of the container. This cap, for the purpose of utility,strength, and economy of manufacture is preferably formed of partscapable of being secured together by wire stitches or staples. In thepresent instance the cap D comprises a circular top 32 which is providedwith flanges 33, and these flanges are preferably separated from the top32 by means of a circular weakened line 34. In the present in- 1 stancethe line 34 is made in such a manner that it cuts through a portion ofthe material of the top 32. By forming the top 32 in this manner thebending of the flanges 33 is greatly facilitated and the cap is given amore rounded form when 1 itis finally assembled. Obviously, of course,the line 34 need not be out through a portion of the material, asdesirable results may be obtained by merelyimpressing a circular scoreline in the top.

The flange of the cap, designated generally at 35, comprises the flanges33 suitably secured between two separate strips 36 and 37. These strips36 and 37 are preferably of a width equal to the length of the flange33, and of somewhat greater length than the circumference of the top 1member 32.

In forming the, cap member D the outer strip 37 is preferably firstsecured together at its ends by means of staples 38 so that it takes on'a circular form. The flanges 33 are then bent over at an 1 angle to thetop 32. The top is then inserted within the band'formed by the strip-37so that the outer faces of the flanges 33 abut the inner face of theband or strip '37, the plane of the top member being substantially flushwith the 1 upper edge of said strip and the lower edge of 'said stripbeing flush with the outer ends of the flanges 33.

The strip 36 is then inserted within the cap D so that its outer faceabuts the inner faces 'of the flanges 33 and its bottom edge issubstantially .fllled, the cap D is placed about the upper end thereof,the flange 35 extending downwardly over the reinforcing flanges'of thecontainer itself] F The cap in addition to-"effectively closing thecontainer also assists in maintaining the circularity and rigidity ofthe package as a whole. The flange 35 of the cap is preferably madesomewhat shorter than the reinforcing flange on the top of the containerso that when the container is lifted by means of such flange the capwill not become displaced. Obviously, however, if it is so desired, therespective flanges can be a made of equal size.

no cream and similar food products.

From the foregoing it is apparent that there is provided a sturdy,inexpensive collapsible paper board container which is particularlyadvantageous for the packing and shipment of ice The container hereindescribed has substantially all the advantages inherent in the ordinarymetal container as regards rigidity and serviceability, and hassubstantially none of its disadvantages. The present container isadapted to be shipped and stored in collapsed condition and thereforeaffords considerable saving in transportation and storage costs. It ismuch lighter in weight than themetal container now in common use andaccordingly effects considerable reduction in transportation costs. Thepresent container may be readily disposed of when empty as it may beeither burned or collapsed to a fiat condition and baled, thus entirelyeliminating the sanitary problem confronting the retailer in handlingand disposing of empty metal cans. The container herein described, dueto its strength and rigidity when set up, may be readily utilized in alltypes of present ice cream can handling and filling equipment without inany way requiring replacing or readjustment of such equipment.

The present container also entirely eliminates the use of sterlizingequipment by the ice cream packer as the container is used but once, andthe coating applied during the manufacture of the material of thiscontainer renders the interior thereof substantially germ proof and alsoefiectu-.

ally prevents the absorption of any odor or taste by the contents.

The invention has been described in detail for the purpose ofillustration, but it will be obvious that many of the details may bemodified without departing from the spirit of the invention.

What I claim is:

l. A barrel-shaped collapsible container, composed of impregnated boxboard, comprising an outer wall suitably scored vertically to permitcollapsing, an inturned flange formed integral with the outer wall toprovide an inner shoulder, an

outwardly turned reinforcing flange at the opposite end forming ashoulder serving as a hand hold, a disc supported upon the innershoulder to hold the outer wall in expanded condition, and an innerliner separate from. the outer wall, fitting within the same and restingfiush upon the outer edge of the disc, said liner having its edgesloosely slidable with reference to each other without any fasteningmeans whatever, whereby, when the container is filled, the contentsthereof force the inner liner to conform to the outer wall, and thelower edge of the liner is maintained in fixed contact with the upperedge of the disc to maintain it from upward displacement.

2. A container including a cylindrical wall having a reinforcing collarformed integral therewith and extending around an end thereof, said walland collar being formed from a single blank by overlapping and securingtogether opposite edges of said blank, said collar terminating short ofone of the edges of said blank whereby when said edges are overlappedthe opposite edges of said collar substantially abut each other, and areinforcing tab formed integral with one edge of said collar andadapted, when the container is set up, to extend over said overlap andbe secured in place to reinforce the container at the collar endthereof.

3. A container including a cylindrical wall having a reinforcing collarformed integral therewith and extending around an end thereof, said walland collar being formed from a single blank by overlapping and securingtogether opposite edges of said blank, said collar terminating short ofone of the edges of said blank whereby when said edges are overlappedthe opposite edges of said collar substantially abut each other, saidcollar comprising a double thickness of the wall, and a reinforcing tabformed integral with one thickness of said collar and adapted, when thecontainer is set up, to extend over said overlap and be inserted betweenthe thicknesses of the adjacent edge of said collar and-be secured inplace to reinforce the container at the collar end thereof.

4. A container including a cylindrical wall having a reinforcing collarformed integral therewith and extending around an end thereof, said walland collar being formed from a single blank by overlapping and securingtogether opposite edges of said blank, said collar terminating short ofone of the edges of said blank whereby when said edges are overlappedthe opposite edges of said collar substantially abut each other, saidcollar comprising a double thickness of the wall, a reinforcing tabformed integral with one thickness of said collar and adapted, when thecontainer is set up, to extend over said overlap and be inserted betweenthe thicknesses of the adjacent edge of said collar, and fastening meansextending through said collar, tab and container wall to secure said tabin place and reinforce the container at the collar end thereof.

5. A collapsible cylindrical walled container adapted to be formed froma blank of sheet material by overlapping and securing together oppositeedges of said blank, an inner flange or collar formed integral with thelower end thereof to provide a shoulder to support a reinforcing disc,an outer reinforcing collar formed integral with the upper end thereofto provide a hand hold for the container, said collar terminating shortof one of the edges of said blank whereby when said edges are overlappedthe opposite edges of said collar substantially abut each other, a tabformed integral with said outer collar and adapted to extend over theoverlapping edges of said cylindrical wall to reinforce the same, meansfor securing said inner and outer collars and said tab in position whenthe container is set up, and a reinforcing inner liner loosely disposedwithin said cylindrical wall, the vertical edges of said liner will HEB

being loosely slidable with reference to each other,

whereby when the container is filled the contents thereof will forcesaid inner liner to conform to said cylindrical wall.

RICHARDJ. CODY.

